ASTM F23 Overview ASTM F23 Overview for the D13 Committeefor the D13 Committee

Tampa, FloridaJanuary 29, 2008

Thomas E. NealNeal Associates Ltd.

F23 Committee Overview Topics

• History

• Expanded Scope

• Structure and Process

• Committee Liaisons

• Subcommittees—Key Standards and New Initiatives

• Interface with other organizations

• Direction for new standards development

F23 History• 1977—Need identified for Standards to protect

workers from occupational hazards

• 1978—First meeting of F23 at ASTM HQ

• 1983—F739 test method on chemical permeation

• 1985—F955 test method on molten metal splash

• 50 standards addressing six categories of occupational hazards

• Membership grew from 50 to ~240 over 30 years

F23 ScopeThis Committee will develop standard

specifications, test methods, practices, guides, terminology, and classifications for protective clothing and related personal protective equipment (PPE) designed and constructed to protect the user from potential occupational hazards and/or provide a barrier to prevent the user from being a source of contamination.

This Committee will coordinate its efforts with other ASTM Committees and outside organizations having mutual interests.

F23 Committee on Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment

• Expanded Scope in 2006 to include personal protective equipment

• Six Subcommittees for specific hazards

• Standard administrative Subcommittees including ISO TAG for PPE

• Important interfaces with other ASTM committees and external organizations

• Plans to add new subcommittee and liaison committee to meet emerging needs

ASTM F23 Organization

Adm inistrativeSubcomm ittees

F23.20 Subcomm itteePhysical Hazards

F23.60 Subcomm itteeHum an Factors

F23.30 Subcomm itteeChemical Hazards

F23.70 Subcomm itteeRadiological Hazards

F23.40 Subcomm itteeBiological Hazards

F23.80 Subcomm itteeTherm al Hazards

F23 Com m ittee

F23 Administrative Subcommittees

• F23.90 Executive Subcommittee– Nominating Committee– Awards Committee– Plan to create new standing committee to manage liaison with

other standards bodies and end users

• F23.91 Terminology Subcommittee– Vince Diaz, Chair

• F23.92 .93 .94 Publicity, Education & Symposia

• F23.95 Planning Subcommittee– Angie Shepherd, Chair and Vice-Chair of F23

• F23.96 ISO TAG– Jeff Stull, Chair

PPE Standards Process

• Users rely on standard so they don’t have to know all the details about product performance

• Each part of the process is important to ensure that the correct product is selected and that it will perform as expected

ConductHazard

Assessment

PreparePPE Selection

Guidance

Establish PPECriteria and

Specification

Verify PPEConformity to

Standard

Principal ASTM Committee Liaisons

F23 Protective

Clothing and Equipment

D11Rubber

D13Textiles

D20 Plastic

s

E12Visibility

E54Homelan

d Security

F18ElectricalWorkers

Key F23 External Liaisons

• Synergistic relationship in developing test methods for specifications

• Joint standards development and promotion through MOU

• Input to worker protection practices in key industry (e.g. industrial hygiene)

• Representative for United States in PPE related international standards

F23.20 Physical HazardsLibby Parrish, Chair

• Key Standards– F1342 puncture resistance– F1670 cut resistance– F1414 chainsaw resistance– F1818 chainsaw foot protection– F1897 chainsaw leg protection

• New Initiatives– Needlestick puncture resistance

F23.30 Chemical HazardsJim Zeigler, Chair

• Key Standards– F739 (permeation)– F903 (penetration)– F1001 Chemical Test Battery– F1052 (inflation test)– F1359 (liquid integrity)– F2588 (MIST)

• New Initiatives– Air-fed ensembles– New permeation procedure– Chemotherapy gowns

F23.40 Biological HazardsDavid Johnson, Chair

• Key Standards– F1670 blood penetration– F1671 viral penetration– F1862 mask blood test– F2100 medical face

masks– F2407 surgical gowns

• New Initiatives– Mask decontamination– Antimicrobial test

F23.60 Human FactorsShawn Deaton, Chair

• Key Standards– F1154 Form/function– F1291 Manikin clo test– F1868 Total heat loss– F2010 Glove dexterity– F2300 Cooling systems– F2370 Sweating manikin– F2668 Physiological practice

• New Initiatives– Material wicking (GATS)– Clothing insulation ratings

F23.70 Radiological HazardsGary Glenn, Chair

• Key Standards– F2547 X-ray attenuation

• New Initiatives– Fluoroscopic to inspect X-

ray vests– Apparel for nuclear power

plant workers– Attenuation of high energy

radiation– Radiological emergency

responder PPE

F23.80 Thermal HazardsDavid Loftin, Chair

• Key Standards– F955 (molten metal

splash)– F1060 (conductive heat)– F1930 (thermal manikin)– F1939 (radiant

performance)

• New Initiatives– New TPP procedures– Stored energy test– Hot liquid test– Heat resistance

D6413 Test Method Vertical Flammability

F1930 Simulated Flash Fire Test Method

F1930 Simulated Flash Fire Test Method

Key F23 Initiatives• Foster more end user involvement in standards

process• Work towards more end product specifications

– Example: air-fed protective ensembles

• Address gaps in personnel protection for applications or hazards not addressed– Agricultural protective clothing– Radiological protective equipment

• Work on protective equipment standards in line with expanded scope

• Establish new subcommittee on Certification and Interoperability

Questions & Comments